Jim Furyk of the US plays a shot on the 10th hole during practice for the Open at Turnberry. Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP

THE JOURNALISTS

Bill Elliott

Jim Furyk

Now 39, Furyk is the nicest American sportsman alive. Also a terrific player. Accurate off the tee (vital at Turnberry) and has finished 4th, 12th and 5th. Convinces me of his Open pedigree

Kevin Mitchell

Tiger Woods

Sometimes - no, nearly always - it pays to heed the obvious. If there is a more obvious favourite to win this or any other golf tournament than Tiger Woods, he lives on a cloud and wears long robes and a beatific smile. In fact, even he would struggle to beat his representative on planet golf, because Tiger is in awesome form

Ewan Murray

Lee Westwood

The Englishman's third round 64 at Loch Lomond last week end could easily have been a 59, such was the imperious nature of Westwood's play. A new fitness regime has undoubtedly contributed to great length from the tee and Westwood is striking irons as well as anybody in the game. Surely his major time has come

Mikey Stafford

Sergio Garcia

Denied two years ago by Padraig Harrington the Spaniard's links proficiency is beyond doubt – an improved putting performance on Turnberry's receptive greens could see him lift the Claret Jug

THE PUNDITS

Peter Alliss

Tiger Woods

The man to beat is obviously Tiger Woods, whether the rest like to admit that or not that is a fact of life – it has been for 12 years. Below that there are 30, 40, 50 players who would give Tiger a run for his money, but he is definitely the man to beat. I like to think we have a couple of home-grown players who could win – whether it is Paul Casey or Rory McIlroy, or Justin Rose or Ian Poulter. Look at the bookies list, the first 40 names, you could stick a pin in it

Wayne Grady

Mike Weir

Tiger is definitely favourite, there's no doubt about it, but if you take Tiger out of there I think it is so wide open it is amazing. There are a few good English players out there – [Paul] Casey's playing well, [Lee] Westwood is playing well, Justin Rose. Then you've got Mike Weir from Canada

THE PLAYERS

David Duval

Jim Furyk

Justin Leonard may be upset because he and Jim have been my practice partners and Justin knows how to win the Open. I just think Jim has shown he can adapt well to links courses and his game looks as if it is in great shape just now

Mark O'Meara

Tiger Woods

He didn't putt that well at The Masters, he didn't putt that well at the US Open and was on the bad side of the draw there as well. He is coming off a win at Congressional and having played with him this week, he is playing great. He loves to be creative and loves links golf, it is very hard to bet against him

Justin Rose

Sean O'Hair

Sean strikes the ball really well in the wind. I played with him recently and noticed that he can turn it both ways very easily, he is a player who controls his ball flight. He is a top 15 player in the world but is coming here under the radar and with nothing to lose

Henrik Stenson

Steve Stricker

Steve is my playing partner for the first two days and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him up there come Sunday. His putting is phenomenal at times, he gives the ball a great run and his ball flight will suit conditions here perfectly. Added to that, he will be full of confidence having won last week